Course detail
Aircraft Propulsion
FSI-OLE-A Acad. year: 2026/2027 Winter semester
The course Aircraft Engines in English introduces students to the basic principles of operation of used aircraft propulsion units, including an explanation of the design solutions used in various types of propulsion units. Students are introduced to the specifics of used aircraft piston engines and propellers. Another important part is turbine propulsion units. Their design, layout and auxiliary systems necessary to ensure their operation are analyzed in detail. In addition to conventional propulsion systems, the course also discusses sustainability topics in the field of aircraft propulsion. Students are introduced to the developing technologies of aircraft propulsion units and the physical limitations of propulsion systems using electricity or hydrogen as an energy source and possible areas for reducing the environmental burden of current propulsion technologies to ensure their sustainability. With regard to the inclusion of the course in the N-AST-A Aerospace Technology study program, economic and operational topics related to aircraft propulsion units are not analyzed in more detail.
Supervisor
Department
Learning outcomes of the course unit
Prerequisites
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes
Language of instruction
English
Aims
TThe aim of the course Aircraft Engines is to familiarize students with the characteristic properties of various types of aircraft propulsion units and to contribute to the understanding of the physical principles of operation and limits for the applications of various types of propulsion units. Students will also understand the design principles and solutions used in the propulsion units with the English terminology used. Students are also introduced to the influence of turbine aircraft engines on the Earth's climate system and are discussed new propulsion technologies developed by the aviation industry to ensure the sustainability of air transport. The knowledge gained will enable them to design efficient aircraft structures with minimal impact on the environment.
Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences
The study programmes with the given course
Programme N-AST-A: Aerospace Technology, Master's
branch ---: no specialisation, 5 credits, compulsory
Type of course unit
Lecture
26 hours, optionally
Syllabus
1. Categorization of aircraft propulsion units, physical principles of work, efficiency.
2. Piston engines – thermodynamic cycles of petrol and diesel engines. Aviation fuels and their properties.
3. Arrangement of main parts of aircraft piston engines
4. Auxiliary devices and piston engine systems – fuel, oil, cooling, starting.
5. Power and altitude characteristics of the propeller drive, increasing power by turbocharging, maintenance and care of the engine
6. Vane motors, principle of operation, thermodynamic cycle, input system
7. Vane compressors, distribution, centrifugal compressors, principle of operation and calculation.
8. Axial compressors, working characteristics of compressors, instability of compressor work and its suppression.
9. Combustion chambers of vane engines – principle of operation and construction. Turbine section – high-pressure and low-pressure turbines, technology for increasing the efficiency of turbine engines.
10. Propelling nozzles, fixed and adjustable, afterburning, Systems necessary for the work of the gas turbine engine: fuel system, oil system, starting system.
11. Properties and development trends of turbine engines, operating characteristics for single-stream, two-stream, turboprop and special turbine engines
12. Environmental requirements for aircraft engines, electric propulsion units concepts with accumulators and fuel cell.
13. Energy requirements of aircraft propulsion and their provision with sustainable energy sources, use of hydrogen for propulsion. An overview of bladeless propulsion units and their characteristics.
Exercise
13 hours, compulsory
Syllabus
1. The main quantities of a piston engine.
2. The main quantities of a piston engine.
3. Kinematics of the crank mechanism.
4. Kinematics of the crank mechanism.
5. Liquid cooling of the piston engine.
6. Parameters of the centrifugal compressor.
7. Parameters of the centrifugal compressor.
8. Forces loading the centrifugal compressor impeller.
9. Forces loading the centrifugal compressor impeller.
10. Turbine blade force stress.
11. Calculation of the thermodynamic circulation of a jet engine.
12. Analysis of the efficiency of aircraft propulsion
13. Calculation of the carbon footprint of a CS – 25 category transport aircraft.